Who Thought This Was a Good Idea?

And Other Questions You Should Have Answers to When You Work in the White House

By: Alyssa Mastromonaco, Lauren Oyler

Narrated by: Alyssa Mastromonaco

If your funny older sister were the former deputy chief of staff to President Barack Obama, her behind-the-scenes political memoir would look something like this . . .
Alyssa Mastromonaco worked for Barack Obama for almost a decade, and long before his run for president. From the then-senator's early days in Congress to his years in the Oval Office, she made Hope and Change happen through blood, sweat, tears, and lots of briefing binders.

But for every historic occasion -- meeting the queen at Buckingham Palace, bursting in on secret climate talks, or nailing a campaign speech in a hailstorm -- there were dozens of less-than-perfect moments when it was up to Alyssa to save the day. Like the time she learned the hard way that there aren't nearly enough bathrooms at the Vatican.

Full of hilarious, never-before-told stories, Who Thought This Was a Good Idea? is an intimate portrait of a president, a book about how to get stuff done, and the story of how one woman challenged, again and again, what a "White House official" is supposed to look like. Here Alyssa shares the strategies that made her successful in politics and beyond, including the importance of confidence, the value of not being a jerk, and why ultimately everything comes down to hard work (and always carrying a spare tampon).

Told in a smart, original voice and topped off with a couple of really good cat stories, Who Thought This Was a Good Idea? is a promising debut from a savvy political star.

Critic reviews

"Always fascinating and very funny, Alyssa's book is full of juicy stories from one of the world's most glamorous jobs."—Mindy Kaling, New York Times bestselling author of Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns) and Why Not Me?

"WHO THOUGHT THIS WAS A GOOD IDEA? is everything we've come to know and love about Alyssa over the decade we worked with her: brilliant, funny, grounded, and inspiring. Anyone who's interested in politics - especially young people - should read this book."—Dan Pfeiffer and Jon Favreau, former communications director and speechwriter for President Barack Obama

"Few people have had as much access and influence over national events over the last decade as Alyssa Mastromonaco. No matter how serious the crisis or hard the problem, Alyssa took care of it with great skill and professionalism, and even greater humor. This book tells the story of a young woman succeeding under extraordinary circumstances, and throughout it all, never taking herself too seriously."—Stephanie Cutter, former deputy campaign manager for President Barack Obama

"I've often wondered how a woman can be so many things wrapped up in one dynamic package. Alyssa is my fairy godmother: she's wise, resourceful, insanely smart, and makes me laugh in a very special way. Her stories - from the front line of the White House to her kitchen - will entertain, inspire, and humor you for a long time to come."—Amanda de Cadenet

"Alyssa is a force: whip-smart, humble, and funny as hell. Her writing is as fearless as she is."—Sophia Amoruso, founder and CEO of Girlboss

"A candid and charming memoir of her unexpected career in government...The memoir abounds with intimate glimpses of Washington, D.C., celebrities (Biden, Clinton, Michelle Obama, and scores more) and cheerfully dispensed survival strategies. An entertaining look inside the White House."—Kirkus

"When imagining working in the White House, many picture meaningful meetings, glamorous dinners, and high-stakes decision making. It can be all of those things. But as Alyssa Mastromonaco writes in WHO THOUGHT THIS WAS A GOOD IDEA?, the reader gets a real and raw peek behind the curtains where Alyssa experiences the good, the bad, the distressing, and the often hilarious. Alyssa has real grit and grace, and her book is her story very well told."—Dana Perino, New York Times bestselling author of And the Good News Is... and Let Me Tell You About Jasper...

"A combination memoir and compendium of very good suggestions about how to get ahead -- very far ahead -- at an early age."—The Washington Post

"[WHO THOUGHT THIS WAS A GOOD IDEA] is brimming with...humorous, behind-the-scenes anecdotes, as well as up-close-and-personal moments with Obama that shed new light on who he is as a leader, man and friend."—People.com

An honest, entertaining account of political life

More of a "how to survive working in politics" guide than a political memoir, Alyssa Mastromonaco's recounting of her time with Senator, Candidate and finally President Barack Obama is a must read for anyone contemplating -- or currently struggling through -- a life as a political staffer.
Punctuated by personal stories and poignant advice throughout, Mastromonaco honestly details the difficulty of achieving a work life balance in the fast-paced world of politics. Though I imagine this story will be particularly helpful to women climbing the corporate or political ladder, "Who Thought this Was a Good Idea" should be on the top of any political geek's reading list, or that of anyone who looking to be entertained, informed and inspired.

It Was Just Like I Thought It Would Be

I was so very glad that I gave this book a listen. Mastromonaco's oral reading was easy to follow (rate and volume were perfect and she inflected in such a way that portrayed sincerity). While she revealed her experiences during the Obama presidency she thoroughly answered the questions posed in her title. I realized that this was not the intended outcome the author was going for but nonetheless... I have always admired President Obama and was always grateful for his service and now having "read" Mastromonaco's book I saw that it wasn't enough for there are many unsung heroes working in the White House and the author was one about whom we would have never known. I'm 65 years old and would never be a White House employee but I wanted to know what it was like. Thanks to this book I now know. I consider this to be a must buy.
This is an “AUDIBLE 20 REVIEW SWEEPSTAKES ENTRY” .

Listening to this book is a GOOD IDEA!

Loved that this was read by the author. She makes you feel like she is in your living room telling stories about her time in the white house. She talks about Obama with admiration. I love that she got a tampon machine installed in the west wing restroom. I smiled the entire time I listened and felt inspired after.

Honest, enlightening stuff

This is a no holes barred look at living and working in the high stakes political bubble. Alyssa's unique way of reading brings out the pain and joy to the stories. This felt like the opening credits to a much deeper, wider story about the passion, angst, pain and glory of working for the most powerful person in the world. I wanted Soo much more and had a hundred questions after each chapter. She didn't peel back the layers of influence, power, control, or discrimination that she felt and saw. Who are the women presidential candidates she would leave it all to work for? I trust her gut instincts and want to be part of that campaign!! Mindy Kahling already bought the rights to this and plans to make it into the next "West Wing"! YES!!

Must listen

I'm a college professor and I think this book should become part of the curriculum. The messages of being prepared, resilience, and how scary change is are the same messages but far more compelling than any I usually make. I've recommended this book to my colleagues. It's entertaining and a peek behind the Obama administration curtain, but mostly this book is solid advice for people trying to establish a professional life.